7.  On 29 December 1999 the applicant's apartment was searched by the police with the apparent approval of the Prosecutor's Office. It was apparently conducted following the receipt of information received as a result of the arrest of several drug addicts earlier in the day. The applicant claimed, which the Government did not challenge, that the search was conducted in the absence of the applicant or an adult representative of the household and only in the presence of two witnesses, neither of them being the residence's manager or a representative of the municipality. Various items were seized, including an unspecified quantity of drugs and three stolen automobile registration documents.
8.  Following the search of the applicant's apartment on 29 December 1999, the police arrested him and took him into custody for twenty-four hours.
9.  On 30 December 1999 the applicant was charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was remanded in custody upon a decision of an investigator which was apparently confirmed by the Prosecutor's Office later in the day. In ordering the remand in custody, the investigator found that the applicant might abscond or re-offend considering the fact that he had a previous conviction for drug related offences and had another three preliminary investigations opened against him.
10.  The applicant appealed against his detention on the same day, 30 December 1999. He argued that that there was insufficient evidence against him and that there was no danger that he might abscond or re-offend. He claimed that he was a drug addict, that he required medical treatment for his addiction, that the drugs found in his apartment were for personal consumption, that he had a permanent address and that he had to care for his disabled mother. The appeal was sent by registered post both to the Pazardzhik Regional Court and the Pazardzhik Regional Investigation Service. It is unclear when they received it.
11.  On 1 January 2000 amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure entered into force in respect of the legal regime of detention and its justification.
12.  On 4 January 2000 the applicant's lawyer requested in writing from the Pazardzhik police copies of the orders for the search of his client's home and for his arrest. In a response of 24 February 2000 the police refused to provide him with copies of the documents arguing that the applicant had received copies of the same at the time of the search and arrest.
13.  In connection with the processing of the applicant's appeal of 30 December 1999, the Pazardzhik Regional Investigation Service forwarded the applicant's case file to the Pazardzhik Regional Court on 5 January 2000.
14.  On 7 January 2000 the Pazardzhik Regional Court examined the applicant's appeal of 30 December 1999 and dismissed it. It found that the applicant's claim that he required medical supervision and treatment was unsubstantiated. It further considered that based on the evidence before it there was sufficient evidence that he may have committed the offence with which he had been charged and, taking into account his previous conviction and the existence of another three preliminary investigations against him, that he might abscond or re-offend. The applicant appealed against the decision on an unspecified date.
15.  On 13 January 2000 the Plovdiv Court of Appeals examined the applicant's appeal. In addition to the arguments presented before the Pazardzhik Regional Court the applicant also claimed that he had an ongoing business operating a shop. The court dismissed the applicant's appeal on grounds similar to those given by the Pazardzhik Regional Court. Namely, that based on the evidence before it there was sufficient evidence to ground a reasonable suspicion that the applicant might have committed the offence with which he had been charged and, taking into account his previous conviction and the existence of another three preliminary investigations against him, that he might abscond or re-offend.
16.  The subsequent development of the criminal proceedings is unclear. No further information detailing their development has been provided by the parties following the applicant's letter of 5 April 2000. As of the date of the said letter, the applicant was still in remanded custody. However, it is unknown whether, and when, he was subsequently released or granted bail.
17.  The applicant contended, which the Government did not challenge, that as from 29 December 1999 he was detained at the Pazardzhik Regional Investigation Service at least until 5 April 2000 (see paragraph 16 above).
18.  In the applicant's submission the cells were small, overcrowded and below street level. There was no natural light or fresh air in the cells. Quite often there were rodents and cockroaches. A bucket was provided for the sanitary needs of the detained. There was no hot water, soap or other toiletries. The applicant was not permitted to go out of his cell for exercise. The food provided was of insufficient quantity and substandard. The applicant was not allowed to read newspapers or books. The applicant also referred to his drug addiction and the need for provision of medical treatment in a medical facility.
19.  In support of his assertions pertaining to the conditions of detention at the above facility, the applicant presented declarations from another two detainees, Mr D.A. and Mr. R.D., corroborating his claims.